Abstract: This study examines electric scooter (e-scooter) markets in U.S. transit deserts and oases, focusing on Austin, Chicago, Portland, and Minneapolis. Through t-tests, we compared e-scooter ride frequencies in these areas. Results show no significant difference in ride numbers between transit deserts and oases in Austin, Chicago, and Portland. Transit… read more 

Abstract: In this study, we explore graceful robot navigation in shared spaces, focusing on human-robot dyads resembling a dog and its handler. We examine five conditions: “Fully-Autonomous,” “Remote-Controlled,” “Companion,” “Leading,” and “Guided.” Participants observe these interactions and provide feedback via questionnaires. While initial questionnaire results show few significant differences, comparing… read more 

Abstract: Conventional U.S. rental housing data sources like the American Community Survey and American Housing Survey primarily capture transacted market data, reflecting existing renters’ payments. However, they do not directly reflect spot market conditions—the asking rents for current homeseekers. This study contrasts governmental data with millions of contemporary rental listings,… read more 

Abstract: The Longitudinal Social Impacts of HRI over Long-Term Deployments Workshop convenes researchers delving into various facets of understanding extended human-robot interaction deployments. Encompassing longitudinal studies, autonomy in prolonged contexts, and real-world implementations, the workshop aims to advance comprehension of how deployed robot systems influence individuals and societal dynamics. With… read more 

Abstract: Expanding the deployment of robots in social environments necessitates safe navigation in contact-prone settings. While collision-free navigation is well-studied, incorporating safe contacts remains underexplored. Traditional approaches mandate robots to freeze upon detecting imminent collisions, risking harm and impeding movement in dense crowds. To address this, we propose a learning-based… read more 

ABSTRACT: Navigating crowded environments while intentionally interacting with humans (“contact-based” social navigation) remains largely unexplored, contrasting with extensively studied collision-free social navigation. Traditional approaches demand robots to halt abruptly upon detecting imminent collisions, risking harm or impeding movement in dense crowds. To facilitate meaningful robot integration in bustling social spaces,… read more 

Abstract: The 2019 coronavirus pandemic has profoundly impacted global life, including economies and transportation systems, leading to shifts in travel behaviors. This study investigates the relationship between socio-economic factors and e-scooter trip durations before and during the pandemic. Using hazard-based duration modeling, we analyze data from Austin’s Open Data Portal… read more 

ABSTRACT: Ensuring positive emotional experiences for tourists is crucial for rural development sustainability, yet research often neglects the rural built environment. This study fills this gap by investigating the impact of the rural built environment on tourist emotions, focusing on traditional villages in Fuzhou, China. Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques… read more 

Abstract: Over the past decade, Airbnb has evolved from a modest online bed and breakfast platform to a prominent global hospitality service. Scholars have utilized various spatial analysis techniques to investigate its influence on urban areas. This graphic employs cartogram processing to visualize Airbnb listing density in three major US… read more 

ABSTRACT: Over the last decade, Airbnb has evolved from a small bed and breakfast service to a global hospitality giant operating in 80,000 cities worldwide, offering various accommodations and experiences. With its expansion, there’s increased scrutiny from cities, researchers, and the public on its impacts and the need for regulation.… read more